Quick Tips: Easy Water Heater Maintenance

January 16, 2014

Easy Water Heater 2003

Here’s something you can do yourself to help your water heater lead a rich full life. Flush your water heater once a year. Why? Calcium, rust and sand collect in water heaters which means they have to work harder to heat water. Flushing removes this sediment. Here’s what you do. First, turn your thermostat to the vacation setting. Next, shut off the cold water supply valve. If you’re not sure which is the cold water supply, look for the words ‘cold water’ stamped on the top of your water heater. Now connect a garden hose to the drain. Open a hot water faucet somewhere in the house. Finally, place the other end of the hose in a floor drain and open the valve. Let all of the water drain out of the tank. When you’re all done close the valve and disconnect the garden hose. Turn off the hot water, turn your cold water supply back on and turn your thermostat back to the temperature you want. We do have one caution though, if your water heater is old or your drain valve is faulty your drain valve may not seal when you close it at the end of the flush. If you’d prefer that we flush as well as inspect your water heater, let us know, we’d be happy to help you out.